Sonchiriya is a spectacular Eastern Western, about the lives of dacoits, set in the rugged, dusty Chambal ravines in the 1970s, during the Emergency. But as this is an Abhishek Chaubey film, it is a flamboyant action genre film in Bundelkhandi, about dacoits in an existential crisis, seeking redemption. He pits the individual against destiny, wondering why they continue like this, plundering, murdering, their lives as arid as the landscape, but for a sense of duty to their caste and people. A dacoit considers surrendering, and wonders, "Gang se bhag loonga; apne aap se kaise bhagoonga?" (I can run away from the gang, but how can I escape myself?) Through his characters, Chaubey also makes sharp comments on Indian patriarchy, misogyny and the horrific crimes against women.

The film is about a gang of bandits on the run, led by Man Singh (Manoj Bajpayee), that includes Lakhna (Sushant Singh Rajput) and Vakil Singh (Ranvir Shorey), with police officer Virendra Gujjar (Ashutosh Rana) hot on their heels. On the way, Indumati Tomar (Bhumi Pednekar), who is risking her own life to save a young raped Dalit girl's life, asks for their help. The film underlines how having a conscience can make you a liability in the badlands.